INT. WHITE HOUSE - ELLEN'S STUDIO - DAY
A room with a skylight. Ellen, who seems tired, sits painting
at an easel, while Wilson, in his business suit, stands by,
admiring her work.
WILSON
It's been a whirlwind romance,
just like ours.
ELLEN
I'm still concerned about the
age difference, though. Aren't
you?
WILSON
Yes, I am. But Mac McAdoo's
a fine Christian man. He'll
take good care of our daughter.
ELLEN
Well, we've tried to talk sense to
Nell. But she's about as stubborn
as you are, Woodrow.
Wilson puts a hand on Ellen's shoulder, interrupting her
painting.
WILSON
Excuse me a moment.
He leans down and gives her a kiss.
WILSON (cont'd)
Look on the bright side, dear.
We're going to be setting a
record for White House weddings.
Wilson walks to the door. He hears things topple over. He
turns to see that Edith has fainted, knocking over the canvas
and easel, to the floor. He rushes to her.
WILSON (cont'd)
Ellen!
Secret Service Agents #1 and #3, having heard, hurry in from
the corridor. Wilson, kneeling, takes Ellen in his arms.
AGENT #1
What's happened?
WILSON
Get Grayson here!
Agent #3 runs out. Ellen comes to as Wilson holds her in his
arms, Agent #1 leaning over them.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The lights are on in the living quarters.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Ellen rests on a sofa. Handsome White House doctor CARY
GRAYSON, 40, sitting in an armchair, rises as Wilson enters.
WILSON
Well, Doctor, what's the verdict?
GRAYSON
Nothing dire to report, Mister
President. I think Mrs. Wilson
has just run herself down.
ELLEN
I told Doctor Grayson that's
nonsense.
Wilson sits down by Ellen, Grayson in the armchair.
GRAYSON
Why don't y'all go spend a week at
White Sulphur Springs?
The conversation becomes tongue-in-cheek.
ELLEN
Tell him, Woodrow: I work less
than any First Lady in history.
WILSON
I didn't want to say anything,
dear.
GRAYSON
A person can get tired doing
nothing.
ELLEN
Then that may explain it.
WILSON
Well, Carey, it's White Sulphur
Springs, if that's your prescription.
EXT. HOTEL HARRINGTON - NIGHT
A nice downtown Washington hotel.
INT. A HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Wilson advisor House walks along looking for a room number,
as a well-dressed COUPLE pass.
Finding the number, House knocks on the door. Someone's well
tailored ASSISTANT or bodyguard, 30-ish, opens the door.
ASSISTANT
Come in, Colonel House.
INT. THE HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
House enters, the assistant closing the door. Oil baron JOHN
REESE, 55, a folksy but imposing Texan, stands fixing himself
a drink.
REESE
Hello, Ed!
HOUSE
John, how are you?
They shake hands.
REESE
Fine. And you?
HOUSE
Good. Nice to see you.
REESE
How's Loulie?
HOUSE
She's fine. Misses Houston.
REESE
Can't blame her for that.
INT. THE HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT (LATER)
House and Reese sit chuckling about something as they're
having a drink together.
HOUSE
Well, you didn't come all the way
from Houston, John, just to have
a drink and reminisce.
REESE
No, not exactly. It's this Mexican
trouble. It's damn bad for business.
So we oil men have come up with a
plan, Ed. It's a good one. As his
advisor, we'd like you to bring it
to the President's attention.
HOUSE
The President's always open to
suggestions.
REESE
An expeditionary force to Mexico
City could easily unseat Huerta,
before Villa and Zapata and the
rest of those cutthroats have
time to get there. The United
States sets up an interim
government, one with all of our
interests at heart. There are
some excellent choices for the
job. One man is leader of
Mexico's Catholic party, and -
HOUSE
Hold on, John. You're talking
about turning Mexico into a United
States colony. The President
wouldn't listen to that.
Reese hands his glass to the assistant for a refill. House
declines one. Reese becomes a little less folksy.
REESE
I don't have to tell you, Ed,
about the importance of those
Mexican oil fields and refineries
to Texas. Not just Texas, the
whole damn U.S. economy. And it's
not just petroleum. Look at the
American railroad and mining
interests in Mexico. Altogether
we're talking one billion dollars.
Some forty thousand Americans are
living down there in peril. Things
in Mexico are out of control. And
getting worse while we sit here and
sip. The United States has to act.
HOUSE
The President wants to avoid
starting a war.
REESE
What damn war? The Mexican people
want to be rescued. We would only
be fighting Huerta, if he puts up
a fight. And Villa, if he doesn't
like what we're trying to do.
Hell, Villa can be bought off.
The assistant hands Reese his refill.
REESE (cont'd)
There's killing and looting and
raping going on. The poor folks
down there would greet us with
open arms. Look at it this way,
Ed. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if
his neighbors come put it out.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
A bright day on the plaza. OVERLAP SOUND:
HUERTA (V.O.)
(in Spanish)
I don't understand it . . .
INT. HUERTA'S OFFICE - DAY
Disgusted-looking Huerta meets with Generals Blanquet and
RAFAEL IZQUIERDO, 55. (Spanish with English subtitles:)
HUERTA
If we bought the arms in New York,
how did they wind up in Germany?
BLANQUET
We didn't know Wilson was going
to lift the embargo. So we
shipped by way of Europe.
HUERTA
Shit. While the rebels are getting
more arms than they can ever pay for
or use, we can't even get what we've
paid for.
IZQUIERDO
The arms are aboard the Ipiranga.
She should reach Veracruz by next
week.
Huerta takes a bottle of cognac and a glass from a drawer.
BLANQUET
Let us hope for no trouble before
then.
HUERTA
What trouble?
BLANQUET
The United States ships off the
coast.
HUERTA
They are off Veracruz to protect
their nationals. So they claim.
Fine. They are in no danger.
BLANQUET
Tampico is the worry. Refugees from
the gringo refineries and other
properties are filling the town.
IZQUIERDO
The gringo ships off Tampico may
land marines to protect them if -
HUERTA
I am tired of hearing about gringo
ships. Wherever the rebels attack
at Tampico, Morelos Zaragoza will
stop them. I am not going to worry
about the gringos at Tampico.
EXT. TAMPICO, MEXICO - DAY
Clouds of black smoke drift over the river port city. There
is the distant sound of artillery.
SUPERIMPOSE: "Tampico"
An oil storage tank explodes in the distance, more black
smoke billows.
Wagons bring wounded FEDERAL SOLDIERS in from the front.
On the river, a motor launch, manned by U.S. SAILORS and
flying the U.S. flag, brings a group of North American
REFUGEES into port.
EXT. THE U.S. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - DAY
The gunboat is moored at a Tampico riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY
Ensign CHARLES COPP, 28, enters to report to U.S. Navy Captain
RALPH EARLE, 43.
COPP
You sent for me, Captain?
EARLE
Yes, Mister Copp. I'm sending you
on a mission. An important one.
COPP
Yes, sir?
Earle picks up an envelope and a map hand-drawn on a sheet
of paper.
EARLE
We've been shuttling our boats
between here and the ships, and
bringing refugees down the river,
till our gasoline's just about gone.
A German national, Max Tyron, has
offered to sell us some gasoline.
Earle hands the envelope and map to Copp.
EARLE (cont'd)
Here's the money and a map to his
warehouse. You can get there by
canal.
EXT. A BRIDGE ON CANAL - DAY
A railroad bridge, patrolled by FEDERAL SOLDIERS.
EXT. THE CANAL - DAY
A U.S. Navy whaleboat, with U.S. flags fore and aft, is rowed
along the canal. Aboard are Ensign Copp and NINE SAILORS,
all unarmed.
Copp spots 50-ish German businessman MAX TYRON ahead,
emerging from his warehouse and waving.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
The men in the whaleboat come alongside the dock, Tyron
waiting.
COPP
Max Tyron?
TYRON
At your service.
EXT. THE BRIDGE - DAY
A FEDERAL ARMY MAJOR joins FEDERAL SOLDIER #1, who hands him
his binoculars and points off, other soldiers gathering to
look.
The major trains the binoculars on Copp's sailors - seven
on Tyron's dock, two in the whaleboat - carrying cans of
gasoline from the warehouse and stowing them in the boat.
MAJOR
(in Spanish)
Report this to Colonel Hinojosa on
the double.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp hands Tyron his money as the loading continues.
TYRON
Thank you, sir. Excuse me, I shall
write a receipt.
Tyron heads into the warehouse.
EXT. A STREET - DAY
A FEDERAL LIEUTENANT, 32, heads for the canal with a squad of
TEN SOLDIERS, armed with rifles. No one else is about, all
the buildings look closed.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp watches his sailors load the cans.
The lieutenant and his soldiers come marching onto the dock.
SAILOR #1
We got company.
The lieutenant goes straight up to Copp.
LIEUTENANT
(in Spanish)
You are under arrest. Get your men
out of that boat.
COPP
Sorry, amigo. No comprende.
The lieutenant, showing no comprehension of English, will
continue speaking in Spanish.
LIEUTENANT
I am taking you and your men into
custody.
COPP
Anybody know what he's saying?
The lieutenant steps to the dock edge. He gestures to
Sailors #2 and #3 in the boat.
LIEUTENANT
Get out of that boat or we'll
shoot you.
SAILOR #2
He wants us out of the boat.
COPP
Stay right where you are.
(to the lieutenant)
Look, mister, I don't know who
the hell you think you are, but -
LIEUTENANT
(to his soldiers)
Get over here. Half of you, keep
them covered.
While five soldiers cover the sailors on the dock, five step
to the dock edge.
LIEUTENANT (cont'd)
Aim your weapons.
The soldiers take aim with their rifles at Sailors #2 and #3
in the boat. The lieutenant and sailors look at Copp. Copp
hesitates, then,
COPP
Get out of the boat.
Sailors #2 and #3 climb out, while the lieutenant and Copp
stare at each other.
LIEUTENANT
Form up to march them!
Tyron comes out of his warehouse, receipt in hand, as the
soldiers form around Copp and his men.
LIEUTENANT (cont'd)
Forward march!
The soldiers march off with their captives, the lieutenant
leading the way. Tyron looks incredulous.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Tyron catches up with the lieutenant, behind them the soldiers
marching Copp and his men. (Spanish:)
TYRON
Sir, these men were just buying
gasoline.
LIEUTENANT
Without permission. They are in a
restricted zone.
TYRON
But, sir, these are United States
servicemen. They -
LIEUTENANT
I am under orders to take them to
Colonel Hinojosa.
TYRON
But this is all my fault. I -
LIEUTENANT
Get away from me!
Tyron falls back to walk beside Copp. The dialogue is in
English again.
COPP
What's he say?
TYRON
He says you are in a restricted
zone. I didn't know, I -
COPP
I don't give a shit what kind of
zone we're in. You tell him we're -
LIEUTENANT
Silencio!
(to Tyron, in Spanish)
Get away from those men!
Tyron stops. Copp, being marched away, looks back at him.
COPP
Go tell Captain Earle what's
happening!
LIEUTENANT
(to Tyron, in Spanish)
What did he say?
TYRON
(in Spanish)
He said he doesn't understand
what's happening.
The lieutenant grabs Tyron by the collar and gets in his face.
LIEUTENANT
(in Spanish)
He said something about a captain.
Don't you lie to me.
TYRON
(in Spanish)
He said, "Go tell Captain Earle
what is happening."
A beat. The lieutenant turns Tyron loose with a shove. The
lieutenant turns to follow the others.
INT. COLONEL HINOJOSA'S HQ - DAY
COLONEL HINOJOSA, 50, speaks to Copp through a Mexican
INTERPRETER. Behind Copp stand his sailors. The lieutenant
also is present. Hinojosa has a cold and dabs at his nose.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
You had no business to be in
that area. It is under strict
military control.
COPP
We were just buying gasoline.
The interpreter translates, Hinojosa responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
We didn't know what you were doing.
We were forced to detain you.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
At any moment the rebels may attack
at that bridge.
COPP
We're not the rebels. Tell him all
we want is the gasoline. We'll be
happy to leave the area.
The interpreter translates. After a moment, Hinojosa sighs
and responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
You will be escorted back to your
boat. You will complete your
loading. You will then leave the
area at once.
EXT. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - DAY
Moored at the riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY
Copp reports to Earle. U.S. Consul CLARENCE MILLER, 55, is
present, as is mustachioed Rear Admiral HENRY MAYO, 57.
COPP
They escorted us back to the
dock, we completed the loading.
They watched us till we left.
EARLE
Okay, Mister Copp, that will
be all for now.
MAYO
One moment.
Admiral Mayo steps over to Copp.
MAYO (cont'd)
Mister Copp . . .
COPP
Yes, sir?
MAYO
You allowed this Mexican officer
to remove two seamen from the
whaleboat?
COPP
Well, sir, he gave an order to
his men there, and -
MAYO
Answer my question. You allowed
him to remove those two seamen?
COPP
Yes, sir, I -
MAYO
Do you know what you did? That
whaleboat was flying the American
flag, fore and aft, was it not?
COPP
Yes, sir.
MAYO
That whaleboat, Mister Copp, was
United States territory. In
allowing them to remove those men,
you allowed them to violate United
States sovereignty.
COPP
I had no choice, sir. We had no
arms. As I said, sir, they aimed
their weapons at the men in the
boat. I was afraid they would
shoot them, sir.
A beat. Mayo indicates that he's through with Copp.
EARLE
You are dismissed.
Copp leaves.
MAYO
Captain Earle . . .
EARLE
Yes, Admiral?
MAYO
I need someone for dictation.
Earle quickly goes out. Mayo paces.
MILLER
Well, Admiral Mayo, I trust the
matter is closed, with Morelos
Zaragoza's apology.
MAYO
The general's apology is not
enough. Not after our men have
been threatened, arrested, and
marched through the streets.
MILLER
Admiral, it was only a couple
of blocks. They were promptly
released, and -
MAYO
They were marched in public view.
MILLER
Ensign Copp didn't mention any
public. It's a restricted zone, so
few if any people may have seen it.
Earle returns with a PETTY OFFICER, who sits down with pad
and pencil.
MAYO
(to petty officer)
This note goes to General Ignacio
Morelos Zaragoza, military governor
of the state.
MILLER
Admiral Mayo, excuse me. As U.S.
consul, I insist we first consult
Washington before any sort of
action is taken.
MAYO
A copy of this note shall be
radioed to the State Department.
MILLER
That is not consultation, sir. We
should -
MAYO
There's no need to consult, Mister
Miller. This matter can be handled
promptly, here and now.
LATER
While Earle and Miller listen, Mayo, pacing, is in the middle
of his dictation to the petty officer.
MAYO (cont'd)
(dictating)
"I don't need to tell you that
taking men from a boat flying the
American flag is a hostile act, not
to be excused. In view of the
publicity of this occurrence, I
must require that you send me, by
suitable members of your staff, a
formal disavowal of, and apology
for, this act, together with your
assurance that the officer
responsible shall be punished.
I must also require that you hoist
the American flag in a prominent
position on shore and salute it
with twenty-one guns."
Miller registers dismay and disbelief.
MAYO (cont'd)
"Your salute shall be duly returned.
I must require that your answer be
in my hands, and the salute fired,
within twenty-four hours."
INT. BRYAN'S OFFICE - WASHINGTON - DAY
Secretary of State Bryan finishes reading a lengthy dispatch.
He hands it to an AIDE.
BRYAN
I want this cabled verbatim to the
President in White Sulphur Springs -
with a message from me: "I do not
see that Mayo could have done
otherwise. I await instructions."
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. - DAY
Wilson sits reading the telegram. With him are House and
secretary Tumulty. Ellen, still not looking well, sits
talking with Grayson in b.g.
WILSON
Who does this Mayo think he is?
HOUSE
I suppose, sir, given the serious
ness of the case - American
servicemen being paraded through
the streets of Tampico - he felt
prompt action was necessary. He
can be overruled, of course.
WILSON
No. We have to support him.
This General Zaragoza has already
referred the demand to Huerta.
HOUSE
I think you're right, Mister
President. To withdraw the demand
now could encourage more incidents.
WILSON
Joe, send this reply to Bryan.
(dictating)
"Mayo could not have done otherwise.
O'Shaughnessy should be instructed
to handle this matter with the utmost
firmness. Unless those guilty are
punished, and the salute is fired,
consequences of the gravest sort
may ensue." Get that off.
TUMULTY
Right away, sir.
Tumulty leaves. House lights a cigar.
WILSON
I've lain awake at night, Ed,
praying that the worst of
alternatives might be avoided
in dealing with Huerta. Now, with
this, it looks like he may leave us
no choice but to use armed force.
HOUSE
We would only be fighting Huerta,
Mister President. The people down
there need our help. Look at it
this way. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if his
neighbors come put it out.
INT. A NICE RESTAURANT (MEXICO CITY) - DAY
Edith eats lunch, other PATRONS in b.g., while Nelson, across
the room, stands listening to someone on a phone.
NELSON
(into phone)
I don't believe it. A twenty-
one gun salute? Louis, I want you
to find the foreign minister.
INT. EMBASSY - DAY
First clerk D'Antin is on the phone, dispatch in hand.
D'ANTIN
(into phone)
Moheno's not even in town. It'll
have to be the sub-minister, uh -
Esteva Ruiz.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Nelson as before.
NELSON
(into phone)
I don't care what his name is,
call him. Tell him we've got
to find Huerta.
EXT. A ROAD - DAY
Huerta's car cruises, with three cars behind it.
INT. HUERTA'S CAR - MOVING - DAY
Huerta and Nelson sit on the back seat, with sub-minister
ROBERTO ESTEVA RUIZ, 35, on a jump seat.
HUERTA
To solve the matter, mi hijo,
I personally will apologize for
the incident. You can have it
in writing.
NELSON
My government won't consider that
sufficient.
HUERTA
What is it you want?
NELSON
The salute. General, the exchange
of naval salutes is a common
international courtesy.
HUERTA
Exactly - a courtesy. They are not
fired on demand.
NELSON
Your salute will be returned. The
salute could be arranged very
quietly. It could be fired early
in the morning, when there's no
one around.
Huerta laughs.
NELSON (cont'd)
General, this is no laughing matter.
HUERTA
I know. And what says the foreign
ministry?
RUIZ
Señor Presidente, to fire such a
salute, on demand, would be a
disgrace for our country. It would
insult our honor, humiliate our
people, and violate our nation's
sovereignty. Furthermore, we would
have no guarantee that our flag
would then be saluted.
NELSON
I have said the salute will be
returned. We have Admiral Mayo's
word.
RUIZ
Señor Presidente, our sovereignty
is involved here. And our national
dignity. For Mexico to meet this
demand and fire the salute would go
far beyond courtesy. It would be a
disaster.
Huerta looks at Nelson, who seems to have no reply.
INT. EMBASSY - NELSON'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Nelson dictates to the embassy clerk. D'Antin is present.
NELSON
(dictating)
"I have discussed the situation
with Huerta. He has given us
a written statement of regret for
the incident, along with assurance
that the responsible officer will
be punished. His statement is
included herewith. He asks that
Mayo's ultimatum be withdrawn."
The clerk waits for any more.
CLERK
That it?
NELSON
Add one more sentence.
(dictating)
"I honestly cannot understand
such an ultimatum being issued
without superior authority, in
view of the tense situation
existing." That's it.
EXT. TRAIN STATION (WASHINGTON) - DAY
REPORTERS wait as Wilson, Ellen, Grayson, House, Tumulty, and
SECRET SERVICE MEN leave the train.
REPORTER #1
Mister President, would you comment
on the Mexican situation?
REPORTER #2
Are we going to war, Mister
President?
Wilson holds Ellen by the arm as they walk.
WILSON
Gentlemen, please, let's not jump
to conclusions. We have no quarrel
with the Mexican people. Our only
quarrel is with Huerta.
REPORTER #2
But what if he refuses to fire the
salute?
REPORTER #3 studies pale-looking Ellen.
REPORTER #3
Are you doing okay, Mrs. Wilson?
ELLEN
Yes, I'm fine.
REPORTER #2
Are you willing to withdraw the
demand, Mister President?
WILSON
Certainly not. That is out of the
question.
REPORTER #1
But what if the salute isn't fired?
WILSON
The salute will be fired.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - DOOR TO LIVING QUARTERS - DAY
Wilson and Grayson exit the quarters. Ellen can be seen
inside resting on a sofa, talking to secretary Helen Bones.
WILSON
She's not any better.
GRAYSON
I know, sir.
WILSON
Do whatever you have to do, to find
out what's wrong.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Wilson reads a dispatch. With him are Bryan and Navy
Secretary Daniels. Wilson hands the dispatch to Bryan.
WILSON
Tell O'Shaughnessy that Huerta's
apology is not sufficient. Admiral
Mayo has issued a demand and it
stands as written.
BRYAN
Yes, Mister President.
WILSON
We'll extend the deadline, but
we won't wait for long. Mister
Daniels, I want you to order the
rest of the Atlantic Fleet to the
Mexican coast.
DANIELS
Very well, sir.
WILSON
Meanwhile, send word to Admiral
Fletcher at Veracruz, and Admiral
Mayo at Tampico, to make
contingency plans for landings.
(to Bryan)
I want State Department counsel
to advise us of what precedents
exist for this case. What action
was taken - blockade, seizure of
ports, et cetera.
BRYAN
Right away, sir.
WILSON
Tell O'Shaughnessy he must make
Huerta understand. That salute
will be fired.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Tired-looking Ellen sits leafing through a family photo album
on the sofa. Wilson enters, Tumulty outside.
TUMULTY
Good night, Mister President.
WILSON
Good night.
Wilson sits down beside Ellen. He kisses her cheek.
WILSON (cont'd)
Get much done today, dear?
ELLEN
No. I didn't spend much time in
the office. You know, I don't
think they even intend to get my
alley bill out of committee.
WILSON
I'll look into it.
ELLEN
No. I can handle it.
Ellen turns a page of the album. She looks at a photo of
oldest daughter Margaret, a bit plainer than her sisters.
ELLEN (cont'd)
I wish Margaret would find a
husband, before too long.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Wilson stands alone at the window. Looking out at nothing,
he looks troubled and burdened.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Wilson presides as Bryan, with notes, addresses the other
Cabinet officials, including Daniels, McAdoo, and Garrison.
BRYAN
I wish to remind you all of the
mail orderly from the battleship
Florida, who was attacked on a
Veracruz street, and briefly
arrested without cause, on April
eleventh. So far no one has been
punished for the incident.
Secondly, that same day, a
coded dispatch, from myself to
O'Shaughnessy, was held for two
hours in the Mexican censor's
office. O'Shaughnessy had to
personally demand its release.
WILSON
I submit, gentlemen, that the
arrest of our sailors in Tampico
was no aberration. What we have
with these incidents is a pattern
of studied contempt for this
country on the part of the Huerta
government.
Bryan makes a note,
BRYAN
That's a good term, Mister President.
"Studied contempt." That's how I'll
describe it.
GARRISON
Absolutely. It's all the more reason
to stand behind Mayo's demand for
that twenty-one gun salute.
BRYAN
On the matter of a precedent for
action, Mister President, we have
a good one.
Bryan refers to a note,
BRYAN (cont'd)
In eighteen fifty-four, the town
of Greytown, Nicaragua, was shelled
by United States warships in
retaliation for an insult to the
American consul.
Wilson looks wonderingly toward Bryan's note.
MCADOO
Well, that's not fooling around.
WILSON
(to Bryan)
Are you sure about that?
BRYAN
Yes, Mister President.
GARRISON
I think we should make 'em fire
that salute if we have to blow up
the whole damn place.
INT. NATIONAL PALACE - PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Huerta, arguing with Nelson, pours a drink.
HUERTA
"Studied contempt"? What is
studied contempt?
NELSON
Those are the President's words,
not mine. The point is, General,
that, uh - the point -
HUERTA
I see no point. They are
unrelated, these incidents you
refer to. They are trivial,
due to ignorance, not intent.
NELSON
I agree these matters seem
trivial, General, but . . .
HUERTA
But what?
NELSON
You must look to the urgency,
General, the expediency, of
coming to some arrangement.
HUERTA
What more can we do? We have
apologized. We have arrested
the colonel who ordered the arrest
of your men - though your men had
no right to be where they were.
We have done all that one should
expect.
NELSON
General, I cannot stress too strongly
the danger - the imminent danger -
in your refusing to fire the salute.
Public opinion may force the
President to uphold the nation's
honor - with armed force if -
HUERTA
There is our nation's honor at stake
here too! Does our honor mean so
little? We are a weaker nation -
yes, much weaker, and torn by civil
war - but we too have honor. Force
shall be met with force!
NELSON
Then what shall I tell the President?
HUERTA
That I must do what is right, not
what is expedient. No salute will
be fired.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The light is still burning in the window of:
INT. THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Bryan reads a dispatch to Wilson and adviser House.
BRYAN
(reads)
"I have never heard the old Indian
speak more eloquently. I believe - "
WILSON
"The old Indian"? John Lind was
certainly right about O'Shaughnessy.
(to House)
When he came back from Mexico, Lind
said O'Shaughnessy and Huerta had
developed a "simpatico relationship."
House nods as if knowing, but Wilson is letting off steam,
WILSON (cont'd)
Our chargé lets himself be seen
riding around in Huerta's car,
even having drinks with him in
disreputable saloons. Huerta
calls him his son, his "hijo"
or something.
(to Bryan)
Go ahead.
BRYAN
(reads)
"I believe he is sincerely patriotic
in his statements, and that he will
probably not yield."
WILSON
Does he expect me to yield?
Wilson rises to pace in frustration.
WILSON (cont'd)
What damn choice do I have on this?
Can I let Huerta back us down?
HOUSE
No, Mister President. And Huerta's
not going to back down either.
WILSON
It's a fine situation, isn't it?
So how do you compromise on a
twenty-one gun salute? Change
it to eleven or twelve?
(then)
Tell O'Shaughnessy that unless "the
old Indian" yields, on Monday I
shall take the matter to Congress,
for a resolution to act.
EXT. CHAPULTEPEC (MEXICO CITY) - DAY
Diplomatic GUESTS arrive in chauffeured cars at Chapultepec
Castle.
INT. THE CASTLE - A SALON - DAY
Huerta and his wife EMILIA, 52, greet GUESTS at a state
reception.
INT. EMBASSY CAR - MOVING - DAY
Nelson and Edith are being driven by Jesús to the event.
NELSON
If I can't get through to him, we
might as well start packing. This
whole thing's some kind of joke.
Humiliating. I wish we were back
in Vienna.
(on Edith's look)
Forget I said that.
EDITH
There's no margin for error, Nelson.
You have to assert yourself.
NELSON
I'm just being a realist.
EDITH
I don't understand it, really.
They fire a salute to our flag,
we fire a salute to theirs,
and the whole thing's resolved.
How juvenile!
NELSON
It's a matter of pride and honor,
Edith. Huerta's also afraid that
we won't salute after he does.
EDITH
Then let's fire the salutes
simultaneously. If no one fires
first, no one loses any face.
The whole thing is settled.
Nelson looks intrigued by the idea.
EDITH (cont'd)
Nelson, have you heard from your
friend in Vienna?
NELSON
No. Edith, I told her it was over.
I told her it was all a mistake,
that I was a fool. I told her I
love you and always will.
EDITH
"You" meaning me.
NELSON
What?
EDITH
You said, "I told her I love you
and always will."
NELSON
Yes. "You" meaning you. I told
her - "I" meaning me - I told her
that I love "her", meaning you.
Can I make it any clearer?
EDITH
You need to work on your pronouns,
Nelson.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - DAY
OVERLAP SOUND:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Chronic nephritis is a degenerative
kidney disease . . .
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - DAY
Wilson and Ellen sit together on the sofa while they listen
to Grayson and an older DOCTOR.
DOCTOR (cont'd)
In this case, I'm afraid it's been
complicated by renal tuberculosis.
WILSON
What's the cause of chronic nephritis?
DOCTOR
In cases like this, we don't know.
ELLEN
And I have tuberculosis?
DOCTOR
Of the kidneys. T.B. can strike
the kidneys, or other organs, just
like it does lungs. And it can go
undetected for years.
GRAYSON
We're going to do all we can -
you're going to need lots of rest,
antibiotics - but you have to
understand that there is no cure.
WILSON
Well you doctors do all you can,
I'll see that she gets her rest,
and takes her medicine. We'll see
that this doesn't progress. And
there's a higher power to call on.
We're a son and daughter of
Presbyterian ministers. The
Almighty has always been a part
of our lives.
Go to Part ThreeBack to beginning of script